Cabinet to make decision on Goat Islands 'any time now'

The Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce has agreed with the Finance Minister that any release of critical documents relating to the use of the Goat Islands as the preferred site for the logistics hub could have substantial effect on the Jamaican economy.

The Jamaica Environment Trust has been requesting that the Port Authority of Jamaica make public the agreement signed with China Harbour Engineering Company regarding work to be done on the Goat Islands.

JET said on Wednesday that it received a letter from the Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips indicating that the logistics hub initiative is central to Jamaica’s growth strategy which influences the monetary policy.

Hylton agrees saying discussions and negotiations with China Harbour are ongoing and so it would be inappropriate to speak further on the matter at this time.

He says the information will be released at the appropriate time after the Cabinet has received a proposal from the Chinese company.

Hylton says the Cabinet is expected to get a report and make its decision any time now.

The environmental lobby group says it will be pursuing other legal options to force the publication of information on the building of a port in the Portland Bight Protected Area.